Garnett continues to make progress in Celtics’ win

The power forward, returning from knee surgery, gets 12 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes as Boston improves to 2-1 in the preseason with a 100-93 win over the New Jersey Nets.

By Jim Fenton

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Jim Fenton

Posted Oct. 12, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM

By Jim Fenton

Posted Oct. 12, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM

BOSTON

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The right knee of Kevin Garnett is being watched as closely as anything else during this Celtics’ preseason.

So far, so good for the 33-year-old power forward.

After sitting out 22 of the final 26 regular-season games and the playoffs, Garnett is making his return to the lineup following surgery to remove bone spurs last May.

He has gone through all of the training camp practice sessions and has made progress in each of the three preseason game.

The latest positive sign for Garnett came on Sunday afternoon when he contributed 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting plus six rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes, helping the Celtics defeat the New Jersey Nets, 100-93, at the TD Garden.

Garnett continues to move with little trouble, saying he was pleased at the improvement in his sprinting against the Nets, and he was more aggressive at the defensive end, challenging Yi Jianlian.

“I thought today I got up and down (the court) and I tried to put the pressure on their defense to get in the middle, call for the ball,’’ said Garnett, who made all four of his first-quarter shots. “As far as being aggressive, this is probably the most aggressive I’ve been since I’ve come back and played.

“Reaction time was a lot better, a lot faster. I’ve said this 100 times, man. If it was up to me, I’d play at night. Afternoon games aren’t my forte, but for the most part, sprinting up and down (was better). My gait’s getting better and better.

“I’m getting stronger. I can feel it. I can see it. Confidence is growing every time I step on the floor, and that includes practice.’’

Garnett, who played 14 and 22 minutes in the first two preseason games, will have his playing time increased in one of the upcoming games.

Coach Doc Rivers also said he plans to sit Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace in one of the back-to-back games the Celtics will be playing this week.

“I think each game he’s gotten more and more comfortable,’’ said Rivers, whose team is 2-1. “I don’t think he’s explosive yet at times. There’s a couple of plays where a lob could be dunked, but he’s catching it and bringing it down, but that’ll come next.’’

The starting unit of Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins looked a bit more cohesive than the first two outings.

Pierce had 25 minutes in 30 minutes, making 8 of 12 shots.

Getting the timing back with Garnett is part of the preseason process, and it seems to be working.

“It’s good to get back to playing with him,’’ said Perkins, who had seven rebounds. “You tend to forget what he likes to do and where he likes the ball. But he looked pretty good.

Page 2 of 2 - “He looks like he’s getting a lot better. I thought his rhythm was on, his post moves. He looked real good today. With Kevin, he’s going to get back to being himself with the way he works.’’ Garnett’s shot was falling, but he is more concerned about anchoring the Celtics’ defense, just the way he did during the championship season of 2007-08.

“I thought overall, including myself, that everybody is progressing,’’ said Garnett. “Defensively, because it’s our bread and butter, I know we can always get better at it. But for the most part, the effort was there, the energy was there and the talking was there.

“All in all, I thought we played decent. It’s still preseason and we’re still trying to get better each day. Tomorrow is a work day and we’ll come in and try to get better.’’

CELTICS NOTES

Tony Allen, who is returning from ankle surgery, did not play against the Nets after making his preseason debut on Friday night. Rivers said Allen will probably skip the next two games to stay in Waltham and work with the training staff. ... Eddie House had 13 points off the bench. ... The Celtics and Nets meet again on Tuesday in Newark, N.J., and Boston will play the Toronto Raptors in Hartford on Wednesday night.